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Why bother with tea loaf when you can have Urvashi's glorious little loaf cakes, infused with the flavour of Earl Grey and - tea purists will be happy to hear - lemon. Lemon always proves a popular guest at a tea party, and here the zesty icing is spooned over the top while the cakes are still a little warm, creating a sort of lemon drizzle effect. When dry, the crispness of the icing contrasts irresistibly with the softness of the sponge - these little loaves really are a glorious mix of flavours and textures.

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Method

To begin, place the milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Take it off the heat and immerse the Earl Grey tea bags in the hot milk. Cover the pan and set aside for 40 minutes

2

Squeeze the teabags out of the liquid and set aside to cool some more

3

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Grease and line 8 mini loaf tins with a strip of baking paper along the base

4

Cream the butter and sugar together using an electric whisk or free standing mixer with a paddle attachment. It takes a while – about 10 minutes and you’ll need to scrape down the sides of the bowl from time to time

5

When it’s light and fluffy add the eggs one by one and mix well. Add half of the flour and half of the tea-infused milk and mix until combined. Add the rest of the flour and milk and mix until there are no traces of flour in the bowl

6

Divide the mixture between the mini loaf tins. They should be approximately two thirds full

7

Bake them for 25 minutes until golden brown. To check that they are cooked all the way through, insert a cocktail stick into the centre of each one. If it comes out clean they are ready. Set them on a wire rack to cool

8

To make the icing, mix the lemon juice, zest and icing sugar together into a smooth paste. It should be quite gloopy so it doesn’t dribble too much down the sides (though a little dribble is okay)

9

Pour over the loaves and leave the icing to set for about 30 minutes. Decorate with sugar flowers (optional) and serve

Urvashi finds food, baking, cooking and eating a therapeutic relief from every day work and family life.

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